Senator Kim Brings Fellow Caregivers’ Voices into Rare Hearing Uplifting the Sandwich Generation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As a member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, Senator Kim helped bring together a hearing focused solely on uplifting the needs and voices of sandwich generation caregivers. As a caregiver to his father after his Alzheimer’s diagnosis while raising his two young boys, the Senator is committed to elevating the voices of other sandwich generation caregivers – an estimated 11 million Americans – while delivering real solutions and relief while they care for their loved ones. “Why is the Committee on Aging talking about the sandwich generation? It’s because the care that my aging father gets now is inherently tied to my ability navigate, provide, and pay for it. We cannot talk about the care for seniors without considering the families and caregivers that support them… This Committee has a unique ability to help caregivers be seen, heard, and understood,” said Senator Kim. “Understanding starts with listening. That’s why I wanted this hearing today. To spotlight stories, too often unheard. ” Watch and Share Read Senator Kim’s Opening Remarks Here During the hearing, Senator Kim emphasized that sandwich generation caregivers have long fallen through the cracks of policy frameworks because of lacking insight into multigenerational caregiving. Ahead of the hearing on Wednesday, Senator Kim introduced bicameral legislation to add a dedicated question on multigenerational caregiving to national surveys, so the Sandwich Generation can finally have a permanent place in our national data. The Senator declared: “ You cannot build policy on a foundation you cannot see.” The Senator also specifically highlighted Kathi Lolla, a member of the sandwich generation in New Jersey, who spoke about the complex and confusing systems caregivers often have to navigate alone. Senator Kim has also experienced the stress and confusion of managing his father’s care and is committed to delivering solutions that can support caregivers along the way of their loved ones’ care journey. LISTEN TO KATHI’S STORY Helping organize this hearing builds on Senator Kim’s work to build a care movement that delivers tangible solutions for the millions of Americans who are in the same position he is as a sandwich generation caregiver — and the millions more who risk falling into the Sandwich Generation if we don’t act. Read more about how he is working in the Senate to build a universal care movement. ###